Rivalries and Friendships in Art History - Labille-Guiard and Vigée Le Brun

Four women a year were accepted into the Académie in the late 18th century, and in 1783 they admitted two of the most sought-after painters in Paris. They were portrayed as rivals to a captive public, but who pitted these artists against each other?
In this episode, we discuss the lives and careers of Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun and Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (jacksonsart.com/blog/2026/05/02/rivalries-and-…). We delve into their contributions to Rococo (jacksonsart.com/blog/2025/11/17/rococo-techniq…) and Neoclassicism, the context of their era for women artists in France, and their proximity to the ill-fated Queen Marie Antoinette. Here we share the story of the sensational exhibition designed to draw a comparison between these pioneering artists - who dared to make self-portraits - and the national upheaval that changed their lives for good.
This episode is part of the ‘Rivalries and Friendships in Art History’ series, hosted by Louise Reynolds and Evie Hatch, from the Jackson’s Art Podcast. Louise is an artist, tutor, and art writer whose studio practice informs her insights on art history and techniques. Evie is an art historian and writer specialising in the histories of artists’ pigments and materials. She is the co-creator of the ‘Pigment Stories’ series.
This podcast was written, recorded, and produced by the Jackson’s Team.

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